Is the "Rap Album" in its final stages

justcordell717

justcordell717

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Jul 1, 2015
With the advent of streaming, and artists relying more and more on 3-5 track EPs. What does the future hold for the traditional full length rap album as we know it?
 
It doesn't seem bright. Seems like we will get more streaming only "albums," ep's and mixtapes. It seems like artists will focus more on building enough of a catalog to tour and will be more focused on that than in releasing a traditional album on a traditional label.

It seems like we will all need to download a different app in order to listen to certain artists' music instead of being able to obtain a physical copy or even the mp3's unless we rely on a webrip from a site like zippyshare or a torrent site.

Smh.
 
It's in the final stages. The rappers getting deals can't make a full album worth listening to. 2-4 catchy hit songs and they're maxed out. Labels not making money off albums, small budgets. Streams are about to be the new label.
 
Artists in hip hop are relying less and less on albums. That's been apparent from the time they started pushing Mixtapes so much. I don't see there being a return to the traditional album scheme. Mixtapes + show money means more to a lot of them than putting out a 15 track album. :lol:
 
Ok scratch all the label stuff, but if you were an independent upstart, where would you start? Would you try and make a 10-12 track project?
 
Full Albums are here to stay. EPs are a waste of time.
 
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As more dudes stay independent it's pretty pointless for them to make full albums and ship them to stores. It's way cheaper to release a mixtape or digital album
 
Exactly. Because most of them have wised up to the fact that they make more money off concerts/shows. Releasing the music and making it more accessible (i.e. For free) keeps the fans interested and keeps them paying to see the shows in person. As much as I like owning a physical copy... I just don't see them lasting like that or being as important as before.
 
No I agree with all that lol. What I'm getting at is it a waste of time to make a full length project period? Or do yall still enjoy hearing 12-14 tracks from new artists?
 
I put out a lil project this past summer and it was well received locally. It was 17 tracks (14 not including 3 skits). Anyways, I'm working on new music and my man keep telling me to keep it limited to 6 tracks. I enjoy the challenge of crafting a traditional full length and theming it. But should I? I'm not tryna get "signed" or anything, I mostly just make music cuz I like to do it and the folks around my way say it sounds good. But i would like to eventually take my show on the road
 
An established artist that has a decent following can put out a 14-17 track project every 9 months to a year and be great. On a more local scale, I don't see anything wrong with dropping 6-9 tracks every few quarter of the year to help build up momentum.
 
I would rather get a nice quality 10-13 track album, every two years. Less is more.
 
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